Satellite images released by the Associated Press (AP) on 11/7, taken by Planet Labs on 25/6, show scorch marks at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar where a white radome stood two days earlier. An adjacent building also appears damaged, but the rest of the base seems largely intact.
Such radomes typically house sensitive radar and satellite equipment. The US 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, stationed at Al Udeid, announced in 2016 the installation of a $15 million terminal inside a radar dome.
The images were captured after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Al Udeid on the evening of 23/6, purportedly in retaliation for a US strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities earlier that day.
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Location of Iran and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Graphic: CNN |
Satellite images of Al Udeid Air Base on 23/6 (left) and 25/6. Image: Planet Labs
Then-President Donald Trump stated that Iran launched 14 missiles, 13 of which were intercepted. He claimed one missile was allowed to proceed because it posed no threat. He characterized Iran's response as "very weak," with no casualties reported.
The AP suggests "debris or something" hit the radome, likely during the Iranian missile strike. The relatively minor damage to surrounding structures led them to speculate about a possible attack by a suicide drone.
"This information raises questions about the accuracy of damage assessments, the effectiveness of US air defenses in the Gulf, and whether Washington is withholding information to prevent escalation or avoid domestic backlash", DD Geopolitics, an X account specializing in military information, commented.
Immediately following Tehran's attack, Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel to end their 12-day conflict. He made no mention of retaliating for the attack on Al Udeid.
Trump also stated that Iran provided advance warning of the missile launch, allowing US and Qatari air defenses to prepare. The US had also evacuated aircraft from the base prior to the incident.
Observers believe Iran's measured missile strike was calculated to leave room for a diplomatic solution.
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Location of Iran and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Graphic: CNN
Neither the US nor Qatar has commented on the satellite imagery. Iran's Supreme National Security Council claimed Al Udeid was "destroyed," but offered no specific damage assessment.
Ahmad Alamolhoda, an advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said communications at the base were disrupted after the attack, seemingly suggesting he knew the radome had been hit.
Pham Giang (AP)
